President's Updates

Board of Trustees Winter Meeting

Monday, Feb. 24, 2014

Board of Trustees Meeting, February 14, 2014

The Board of trustees voted on and approved several action items at their winter meeting on February 14. As you know, one of the actions was the decision on the appeal submitted by the Faculty Senate. The full decision was emailed by Bob Finocchio, chair of the trustees, to all faculty and staff shortly after the meeting.

The board also approved a balanced budget for 2014-2015, which I am pleased to report includes a merit pay pool of 3% for faculty and staff. This is very good news, especially given that this represents an increase in the merit pool over the last few years. I am grateful to the budget and finance team for their work in preparing a fiscally sound budget.

In other actions, the board elected a new trustee, Wim Roelandts ‘04 Hon. A veteran of the Silicon Valley tech industry, Mr. Roelandts served as president, CEO and Chair of the board at Xilinx. He and his wife, Maria Constantino-Roelandts, have been staunch supporters of Santa Clara, and we are grateful to Mr. Roelandts for joining the board.

The board also approved the conferral of degrees on those students who have completed their course of study for commencement in June.

The meeting included presentations by Provost Dennis Jacobs, Jim Lyons, Vice President for University Relations, and Michael Weiler, S.J., Provincial of the California Province of the Society of Jesus. Provost Jacobs gave an update on the Integrated Strategic Plan, and Jim Lyons presented on planning for a capital campaign. Father Weiler briefed the trustees on developments in the Province and in the Society across the country. He facilitated a very engaging conversation with the trustees, sharing with us his insights and encouragement.

In other reports, Judith Martinez, president of the Associated Student Government, updated the trustees on student activities on campus; Juliana Chang, president of the Faculty Senate Council, reported on faculty issues; and Kirk Syme, chair of the Board of Regents, gave an update on the work of the Regents since the fall.